According to cold statistics, the skiable area of Gran Pallars comprises 44 pistes and 56 kilometres of ski run, with 234 canons, 15 ski lifts, two Snow Gardens for the little ones and three ski schools. This structure provides the facilities for the three ski resorts of recognised prestige in the Catalan Pyrenees: Espot Esqui, Port Aine and Tavascan.

The Port Aine sector is located in the area of influence of the municipality of Rialp, under the peak of Pic de l’Orri (2,440 m). It is north facing, which guarantees a microclimate favourable for skiing. Furthermore, the pistes take advantage of the relief in order to reduce the environmental impact. Beginners have the privilege of being able to access the heights and ski on the Pic de l’Orri Bellavista piste.

Snowshoe excursions to get to know the surroundings 

Pic de l’Orri is also the setting for one of the most recommended activities: excursions on foot using snowshoes. There are routes of different lengths (the longest takes four hours) and night excursions are also possible, always with an experienced guide. It is an excellent way of getting in some outdoor physical exercise and literally discovering the ski resort step by step.

In the Espot Esqui sector, the resort becomes more family oriented and there is a predilection for the more traditional alpine skiing. Gran Pallars has made a significant commitment to the alpine modalities, with three pistes prepared for the giant and supergiant slaloms and a fully equipped slalom stadium.

This commitment will bear fruit with a Telemark World Championships event, which will be held from 13 to 15 March. This is the oldest ski modality and it is also beginning to gain popularity in Spain. The most important difference between this modality and alpine skiing is that the heel is not fixed to the ski, which means that a great deal of technique and force is required to achieve the turns.

A national park and the butterfly museum 

From Gran Pallars it is possible to organise tourist routes through the region of Pallars Sobira , location of the only national park in Catalonia, the Aigüestortes y Estany de Sant Maurici. Next to this example of landscape beauty, Romanesque architecture can be seen in the churches of Sant Joan d’Isil and Son del Pi.

A curious place to visit is the Catalan Butterfly Museum, in Sort. The centre exhibits over 4,000 butterflies, mainly from Catalonia. Important research is also carried out, as well as surveillance to protect against the invasion of insects that could affect the local species.

The restaurants in the area offer menus based on products from Pallars. Lamb is one of the stars of local cuisine. Also not to be missed are the palpis  (made from meat taken off the bone) as well as the cheeses and home-cured meats. In Llesui you will find Restaurante El Pigal (Casa Kiko) (tel.: 973 621 715). On the other hand the more sybaritic might want to go to Sort to visit Fogony (tel.: 973 621 225, awarded one Repsol Sun) which offers more modern cuisine, or Pessets, in the hotel of the same name (tel.: 973 620 000), which has a traditional menu